January4,2008

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) issued the following statement regarding the upcoming retirement of House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos (D-Calif.). Smith is a senior member on the committee.

“It has been a great privilege in my career in Congress has been to serve on the Foreign Affairs Committee under Chairman Lantos. As the only survivor of the Holocaust to serve in Congress, he has been a consistent advocate for the human rights of all people, exemplified in his founding membership in the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. With his retirement, Congress loses one of its clearest voices on foreign policy.

“I am deeply saddened by news of his illness and his decision not to seek reelection. I congratulate him on his 27 years of service to our country and wish him all the best.”